Max Muncy will likely return from the injured list for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ upcoming road trip against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles next week.
Manager Dave Roberst told reporters that Muncy will face live pitching on Tuesday. Muncy could also begin a rehab assignment this week, setting him up for a return next week.
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The Dodgers placed Muncy on the 10-day IL on Aug. 15 with a right oblique strain. He had just returned from a knee injury 11 days prior.
Muncy made his first stint on the IL at the beginning of July after sustaining a knee injury from a collision at third base during a game against the Chicago White Sox. From the initial glance, it seemed like Muncy’s season was over.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, Muncy did not suffer any structural damage from the collision but was expected to miss six weeks of the season. This was already good news for Los Angeles but even better news came when Muncy returned after just over four weeks.
But Muncy’s return did not last long. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 oblique strain after feeling soreness during pregame cage work before a game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the injury is similar but less mild than the strain that sidelined him for three months last season.
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Los Angeles claimed first baseman Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays the same day Muncy went on the IL. The Dodgers ultimately designated Kennedy for assignment on Monday to make room for utility man Kiké Hernández to come off the IL.
Muncy and Hernández both had slow starts to the season but have worked through their struggles at the plate. The pair are both major parts of the Dodgers’ lineup, so having them back will help Los Angeles through the final stretch of the NL West division race.
Muncy has turned this season into one of his best since joining the Dodgers in 2018, slashing .258/.389/.491 with 17 home runs in 89 games. And in his last seven games before landing back on the IL, he hit four home runs and slashed .400/.571/1.000 in 20 at-bats.
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Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
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